Tax
Exit tax
Also known as expatriation tax, departure tax
An exit tax is a charge imposed when a person ceases to be tax resident in a country, or renounces its citizenship, typically by treating their assets as sold at market value on the day of departure and taxing the resulting unrealised gain.
In plain terms: A bill for leaving, calculated as if you had sold everything on your way out.
Why it matters
Germany, Canada, France, Spain, Norway, Australia and the Netherlands all operate a form of it, and the United States applies one to covered expatriates who renounce. It is frequently the largest single number in a relocation, and it is decided by the country you are leaving rather than the one you are joining.
Common misunderstanding
Planning the destination before checking the departure. The exit charge is often the deciding factor, and in several countries it can be deferred or spread only if you apply before you leave.
Read the full guideExit taxes: what it costs to leave